Philipsburg: --- The AC Wathey Legislative hall came alive today (Wednesday) when independent island councilman and non active commissioner Louie Laviest spoke out during the Island Council debate. Laveist who is known for showing his emotions when he is hurt blurted out that he intends to drop a ‘bombshell" rather soon concerning his arrest and ongoing court case after he heard some remarks that was made by Island Councilman Frans Richardson. Richardson in his address concerning the unfinished government administration building said it is shocking to see a commissioner (Laveist) charged with accepting bribes from a Canadian based company while promising the company in question the contract to furnish the Government Administration Building. Richardson said the charge in itself is disturbing to say the least, he said when charges such as these are being levied against someone it shows that something is definitely wrong, since the charges are serious and do cast a shadow over the present executive council. He also charged that the that the executive council has so far remained mum in relation to the charges laid against the commissioner. Richardson said the charges laid against Laviest can be considered an indictment against the entire executive council.
He also wants to know if Laveist has fooled leader of government Sarah Wescot Williams about him going to resign in the near future or if the party leader was not telling the truth about the so-called resignation.
Richardson said based on the trend of government regarding this particular project several persons are going to be going to jail. The island councilman said while of the council members are worried about getting separate status others are worried about getting locked up since the present trend would continue. Richardson said while St. Maarten is saying they are ready to take charge of their own affairs, they would never be ready if they do not engage in open honest and meaningful dialogue regarding the correlation between conflict of interest, corruption, transparency and good governance. He said all elected officials have a collective responsibility towards the people of St. Maarten and thus they should all remain vigilante. Richardson said for this reason government should seek to get things right from the very start to finish. Richardson said he believes that there would be an EMRON2 on St. Maarten when it comes to the Government Administration Building and the amount of monies that are already spent of the facility.
Independent Commissioner Louie Laveist who was in consultation with his lawyer earlier in day showed up at the meeting moments before he was due to take the podium. The commissioner said while on his way to Philipsburg he heard the statements Richardson made but he did not expect such statements from Richardson. Laveist said he did not mind if any other member of the council had made such statements but knowing that he personally expressed himself to Richardson at the Enoch's place on the French side, he said he felt the councilman truly understands what he was going through with the entire investigation and court case. Laveist said he personally told Richardson what he was going through and felt that when he spoke to Richardson it was ‘real moments".
Laveist also said it is sad to see locals caught up with the crab mentality by wanting to bring down others by indicting them prior to the court rendering their verdict. He said he felt that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and he cannot understand why he does not deserve that same sentiment. Laviest said based on the statements Richardson already has condemned him to guilty of accepting bribes and plane tickets in exchange of a contract to furnish the new government administration building. He said he felt that basic principle of law would have applied to him but it does not seem as if members of the opposition particularly Councilman Richardson cares about giving him that right.
Laviest then said as he stands before the council he wants them to know that he never accepted any bribes for the government building neither any other project nor thing, therefore he asks the council to give him the benefit of the doubt instead of continuing to assassinate his character as well as the good work he has done throughout the years as a member of island and executive council.
Laveist said he is deeply disturbed with the comments made by Richardson; however democracy prevails since the councilman can say any and everything during an island council debate. He said he felt the objective of the investigation against him was to divide and conquer and he Richardson has fallen victim of the mission. He said he could not blame Richardson since history has shown that the people of St. Maarten have always suffered from the crab mentality or crab syndrome mentality.
Laveist also called on the executive council to give a full elucidation on the procedures on the process on how contracts are awarded to bidders since he feels this would serve to educate Richardson on the functioning of government. Laveist said it is clear to him that Richardson does not know the procedures on spending public funds and he felt it is the council's responsibility to explain Richardson these procedures.
Laveist said it's technically impossible for him or any other commissioner to give a commitment to anybody regarding the granting of a contract based on the requirements lay down by executive council and the laws governing the island. He said the process with regards to the public bidding on the government administration building. He said he has to be some kind of genius to take a bribe from the Canadian based company in 2003 before any block was laid for the construction of the building to grant a commitment to someone on the contract for 2009 or 2019.
"Either I am smarter than anyone else or a genius or maybe everyone thinks I am the biggest dummy in the world to give someone a commitment for millions of dollars in exchange for a plane ticket". He concluded that he would not rest until the executive council gives full explanation to the general public on the procedures to obtain a contract for the government administration building so that he Richardson is educated. He said that the people of St. Maarten are suckers when it comes to believing that their brothers and sisters did something wrong since everyone believes that every member of the executive council is so greedy that they cannot execute a project unless their hands get greasy or their pockets are filled and they took home a bag of money or the millions in off shore accounts. Laveist said that he intends to drop a ‘bombshell' by the end of the week or early next week.
He said he was only waiting on the integrity of the justice system to take place. After which he would reveal what is truly taking place on St. Maarten so that the councilman could understand the motive of the investigation. He said the entire investigation has nothing to do with hiring an illegal or a plane ticket to Canada. He said that because of this he would unload his bombshell so that he can get back his life. Laveist then pleaded that he be given a fair chance so that justice can be served. He said based on the assumptions made by Richardson he should not be afforded that fair trial. He said he is disappointed with Richardson since he gave him full explanations on the investigation. He said Richardson knows his pain and wants to know if he did what he did for political mileage.
In the second round Laveist showed more emotions when he said he intends to expose from the top to the bottom in government including a certain member of the media who has an axe to grind with him. Laveist said he has documents that are now being translated and he intends to expose everyone who is making sure inaccurate information is being printed in at least one local newspaper. Laveist made the statements after Richardson said he made his remarks based on articles that were printed in the local newspapers. He said the council members should not take heed with the newspaper articles since the media representative in question has a motive.
Laviest said he intends to mention all persons in and outside of the government building that is involved in his demise.